Teaching jobs

Many foreigners work as English conversation teachers while they’re in Japan. For many people, the work is not too demanding and it gives them the opportunity to travel within Japan during holidays. To be a language teacher, most people need just two qualifications:

Live and Work in Japan
  • native-level ability in the language they wish to teach (so they can do the job);
  • a degree (so they can get a work visa).

English language teachers are by far the most in demand. The native language requirement can cause problems — I have heard of people from Europe who can’t get jobs as English teachers because they aren’t native English speakers, even though they speak, read and write English fluently. Japanese people want to learn from a nativen speaker with a standard accent — this mostly means North American, British, Australian or New Zealand. If you have a different accent then it may be more difficult.

My impression is that pretty much any native English speaker with a degree can get a job as an English teacher. I don’t know about other languages. Demand is lower, but I suppose supply of teachers is lower too.

Salaries are around 3 million. Schools will organise work visas, and some even organise accommodation. Sometimes you may not be able to choose where you work, so you could end up anywhere in Japan. This could be a good thing — you could discover places you would never even think of going.

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66 comments on “Teaching jobs”

Comment pages: « 1 2 3 [4]

  1. 47
    steve said (10 January 2008 at 7:30 pm)

    Jan 2008.

    Teaching jobs here in Japan are in short supply and the salaries have not gone up in over 5 years. For the `average` person you would be better off looking into countries such as Taiwan, China, India and perhaps Korea.

    The Japanese market is bloated with teachers. The `customers` have grown weary of the big chains, such as NOVA and I think the success of those schools is decreasing.

    The only exception would be if you are a female who is interested in teaching children. In that case you could find a job pretty easily, provided you aren`t too particular about where in Japan you end up. I suppose the other exception would be people who are looking to teach another language aside from English. I suppose there are a few of those to be had, but much less common.

    So to those of you that want to come to Japan, I`d do it as a vacation and look elsewhere for employment.

  2. 48
    Nicholas Jones said (5 March 2008 at 2:27 am)

    I’m 21 years old living in (Orlando, FL) and looking for ways to go about pursuing a graduates degree in a University in Japan, I’m almost done with my undergrad degree and want to look for work in japan, I’m also looking at this as a benefit to learn Japanese as I’m already studying and want to pursue further studies in the language. what should i do and who should i goto to seek information?

  3. 49
    Rachel Ramos said (5 March 2008 at 3:58 pm)

    Im a public school teacher here in the Philippines. I’ve been a English teacher for almost 13 years, at present I was assigned as English Department Head and a Liaison officer of our school. I also finished my masteral degree last 2000. but now, I’m seeking another teaching job outside the country because we teachers are recieving a very meager salary not enough to support the needs of my children. Can I possibly get another teaching job in Japan.

  4. 50
    Jaleel.m said (15 March 2008 at 2:02 am)

    Iam a graduate in communicative english from India.I would like to work as an english teacher in japan.Tonugh i an not native english speaker i can communicate well in english.I have been teaching at an school for last two years in my home.(India)Am i eligible to work in your country as an english teacher? Will you clarify my doubts?

  5. 51
    Pramod Makalanda said (17 March 2008 at 10:22 pm)

    I live in Japan and got married to Japanese lady.i just came in japan.I’m eligible to live and work in japan.i use to work at Burj al arab hotel in Dubai for five years in Guest Services department as a Guest service Executive.now,I’m looking for a job.I’m very much interested in teaching.I’m fluent in English writing and speaking.kindly assist me with this.

  6. 52
    roger said (25 April 2008 at 7:50 am)

    Hello my name is roger from afghanistan. Im looking for job as system adminitrator in global organization. I work very hard. please give me job

    many many thanks

  7. 53
    Gorkhali…… said (27 May 2008 at 12:20 am)

    今日は、
    私はネパール人です。
    私は語学の勉強が好きだしWEDSITEを見ることも好きです。

    私は日本人と結婚するつもりが無いんです。

    日本語を勉強終わってから日本語の先生がなる夢を持っています。

    誰か私と友達がなりたいとこちらへ、
    message4raju@yahoo.co.jp

  8. 54
    yassine said (2 June 2008 at 6:54 am)

    i am tunisian live in dubai i am looking for work and live in japan pls help me for that i have 30 years old and i am single yassino78@hotmail.com

  9. 55
    mansour said (6 June 2008 at 2:26 am)

    dear,sir,miss
    i would like apply for job as english teacher or french please try to answer me ,

  10. 56
    cld said (16 June 2008 at 3:29 pm)

    This is probably a stupid question, but, do they require a degree in english education? Or just a degree in anything? I am a native english speaker with a degree in Graphic Design, but I really want to teach english (the school I went to did not offer a generic education degree). Do I need to go back to school? Or will having a degree in anything be alright?

  11. 57
    Bennett said (16 June 2008 at 8:42 pm)

    CLD, that’s not a stupid question at all. A specialist degree is not normally necessary — your degree could satisfy the degree requirement. People I talked to said they wanted a 4-year degree, so that would be best.

  12. 58
    soumaya said (28 June 2008 at 6:48 pm)

    Dear Sir/Madam

    Hope in the best!!
    I would like to apply as Arabic teacher, I holding a bachelor degree of English literature, I am working as health insurance officer and I would like to know if I could get a gob in Janban

    Soumaya

  13. 59
    Gupse said (11 July 2008 at 11:20 am)

    Japan seems to put people in neat little boxes.
    You are categorised according to your nationality.

    The only thing totally open to anyone would be cuisine, and that, your native/nationality’s cuisine.

    So if you are Indian or Chinese, never mind that Engineering degree you’ve earned with blood, sweat and tears. Go do ‘baito at a Chinese or Indian restaurant, and get paid more than an engineer in your home country.
    Nice going.

    I have been refused at least ten English teaching jobs because my passport does not match my English language level!

    This is ridiculous.
    I met a 17-year old English boy who could not spell “cheque guarantee card”.
    Not that I blame him. “Cheque” and “guarantee” are French words :)

  14. 60
    shaun said (15 August 2008 at 1:56 pm)

    im really fasinated with japanese culture and the historical background behhind japan and i hope in a couple of years to move there. I want to become an english teacher. Im native english and would it be possible to land a job in japan without a BA degree please answer.

  15. 61
    Charles Mbayah said (19 October 2008 at 12:53 am)

    I am a Malawian (a former British colony whose national language is native english) living in R.S.A & really would love to work in Japan as an english teacher.
    Please advice on how I can end up in Japan.
    Please respond as I would love to move there hopefully in the new year.
    Kind regards,
    Charles.

  16. 62
    Dom Boom said (9 December 2008 at 1:59 pm)

    It is my goal to work and live in Japan, I have a 4 year degree (not english or teaching) and I am a native English speaker. I hope my chances are good to get a job teaching in Japan, starting out is very hard and I have been looking without success so far, I’ll keep trying but if there is any helpful pointers or contacts to make email me at pirate2900@yahoo.com. Thank you, regards

  17. 63
    Jw said (15 January 2009 at 12:15 am)

    I teach chinese to foreigners in China for 5 years, I have a bachelor degree of English and a certification of teaching chinese to foreigners(advanced), most of my studendts are from Japan and USA.Besides, I can speak a little bit french and japanese. I tried hard to search a job to teach chinese in Japan, pls contact me or give me some helpful suggestions.Thanks a lot ! Best Regards! jennywen8896@yahoo.com.cn

  18. 64
    Grace said (15 April 2009 at 8:44 am)

    I am grace, a 38 years old teacher.My dream is to work in Japan.I teach science in 2 years.I have a 4 yrs degree in education.I can speak three languages; Filipino, English, and Japanese. I am dedicated to my teaching job,especially to the children.I wish my dream become true.

    yorushiku onegai shimasu!

  19. 65
    Queemella said (21 December 2009 at 10:23 pm)

    Hello! I am native Chinese female language tutor (in Hong Kong) — for both Cantonese and Mandarin. Got Language Teaching certificates in Hong Kong University, Hong Kong Baptist University and Peking Normal University, Beijing Culture and Language University/HK Chinese University respectively. I am particularly experienced in teaching Chinese languages to foreigners. (Mainly English and Japanese speakers) 20 years teaching experience to individual, groups and classes. Languages speaking : Putonghua (Mandarin), Cantonese, English and Japanese. Students’ Nationality: Chinese, American, British, Canadian, Indian, French, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, Greek, Australian, German, Japanese and Korean etc. You are welcome to contact me at : queemella@huabaohk.com or queemella@yahoo.com.hk Your reply is much appreciated.

    Both Live and online training are welcome!

    Best regards,
    Queemella Pang
    彭慧玲

  20. 66
    majela agnes said (1 July 2010 at 5:26 pm)

    Hi Bennett,

    This site is really a very informative and helpful for those who want to try their luck in Japan. I just want to ask though, do you know any sites who are recruiting non-native English speakers as ESL teachers and live outside of Japan?

    Any reply would be greatly appreciated..

    Thanks,

    Agnes

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